This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/technology/6549717.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Online child abuse complaints up Online child abuse complaints up
(about 23 hours later)
Reports of websites that contain images of child abuse have continued to climb in the last year, a report has shown.Reports of websites that contain images of child abuse have continued to climb in the last year, a report has shown.
In 2006, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) investigated more than 31,000 reports of sites that contained alleged images, an increase of 34% since 2005.In 2006, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) investigated more than 31,000 reports of sites that contained alleged images, an increase of 34% since 2005.
More than 10,000 of the reported pages on more than 3,000 websites were found to contain illegal child abuse content.More than 10,000 of the reported pages on more than 3,000 websites were found to contain illegal child abuse content.
The increase was in part due to greater awareness of the IWF and its reporting procedures, the organisation said.The increase was in part due to greater awareness of the IWF and its reporting procedures, the organisation said.
As well as outlining the numbers of web pages and sites containing images, the IWF annual report also revealed the increasing severity of content held on the sites.As well as outlining the numbers of web pages and sites containing images, the IWF annual report also revealed the increasing severity of content held on the sites.
More than 3,000 web pages contained images depicting the most severe abuse, such as penetrative and sadistic sexual activity, the report said. Most children involved were under the age of 12.More than 3,000 web pages contained images depicting the most severe abuse, such as penetrative and sadistic sexual activity, the report said. Most children involved were under the age of 12.
We exist to try to access the content and get it removed Peter Robbins READ THE REPORT class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/15_04_07_iwf_annual_report2_2006.pdf">IWF 2006 Annual and Charity Report [1.2MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
"The images we are seeing are predominantly prepubescent, young children," said Peter Robbins, chief executive of the IWF."The images we are seeing are predominantly prepubescent, young children," said Peter Robbins, chief executive of the IWF.
"They have no choice. There is no consent - they are being raped.""They have no choice. There is no consent - they are being raped."
Nearly 1,000 commercial child abuse websites were found to sell child rape images, predominantly of young girls.Nearly 1,000 commercial child abuse websites were found to sell child rape images, predominantly of young girls.
Long-livedLong-lived
The report also highlighted how paedophiles had become more tech-savvy in attempts to avoid detection.The report also highlighted how paedophiles had become more tech-savvy in attempts to avoid detection.
Some commercial child abuse websites, run by organised criminal gangs, break up images on to several servers around the world. The fragments are only united when a paedophile downloads an image.Some commercial child abuse websites, run by organised criminal gangs, break up images on to several servers around the world. The fragments are only united when a paedophile downloads an image.
IWF REPORT: KEY FACTS 31,776 reports processed10,656 pages contained child abuse content3,077 websites contained all of the images1,667 were commercial websites10.5% of all pages were on photo sharing websites91% of victims appear to be under 12 years old Report illegal contentIWF REPORT: KEY FACTS 31,776 reports processed10,656 pages contained child abuse content3,077 websites contained all of the images1,667 were commercial websites10.5% of all pages were on photo sharing websites91% of victims appear to be under 12 years old Report illegal content
Other websites only appear on the web for a short period of time, or move servers regularly to countries with different legal jurisdictions.Other websites only appear on the web for a short period of time, or move servers regularly to countries with different legal jurisdictions.
This technique means that police forces never have enough time to gather the required evidence to take down a site. For example, one has been reported to the IWF 224 times since 2002.This technique means that police forces never have enough time to gather the required evidence to take down a site. For example, one has been reported to the IWF 224 times since 2002.
The report also revealed how photo sharing websites are also being exploited to trade and view images.The report also revealed how photo sharing websites are also being exploited to trade and view images.
More than 10% of the reported pages were of this type, it said.More than 10% of the reported pages were of this type, it said.
"No one pretends that the companies involved with this know it's going on," said Mr Robbins."No one pretends that the companies involved with this know it's going on," said Mr Robbins.
"When we draw their attention to the folders, they are quick to remove them.""When we draw their attention to the folders, they are quick to remove them."
Worst offendersWorst offenders
The IWF also highlighted which countries appeared to be the worst offenders for hosting child abuse content.The IWF also highlighted which countries appeared to be the worst offenders for hosting child abuse content.
Nearly 55% of all reported websites were hosted in the US whilst Russia contained just over 28%, the report said.Nearly 55% of all reported websites were hosted in the US whilst Russia contained just over 28%, the report said.
UK Sites reported to the IWF are shut down within 48 hours We exist to try to access the content and get it removed Peter Robbins
Mr Robbins said that the US was the worst offender, principally because of access to technology and its geography.Mr Robbins said that the US was the worst offender, principally because of access to technology and its geography.
"Given their size, it's inevitable that they come high on our radar," he said."Given their size, it's inevitable that they come high on our radar," he said.
The UK has virtually stamped out hosting of illegal online child abuse content, the IWF said.The UK has virtually stamped out hosting of illegal online child abuse content, the IWF said.
"The IWF has made dramatic and continued progress in tackling the availability of illegal images of child abuse," said Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker."The IWF has made dramatic and continued progress in tackling the availability of illegal images of child abuse," said Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker.
"[It] has made a significant and on-going contribution to the eradication of exploitation sites hosted in the UK, and the prevention of access to sites hosted abroad.""[It] has made a significant and on-going contribution to the eradication of exploitation sites hosted in the UK, and the prevention of access to sites hosted abroad."
Any sites reported to the IWF that are hosted in the UK are removed within 48 hours by UK ISPs.Any sites reported to the IWF that are hosted in the UK are removed within 48 hours by UK ISPs.
Anonymous tipsAnonymous tips
Many of the 31, 776 reports made to the IWF in 2006 came through its "hotline" website.Many of the 31, 776 reports made to the IWF in 2006 came through its "hotline" website.
READ THE REPORT IWF 2006 Annual and Charity Report [1.2MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Most reports were of commercial websites, as people looking for pornography or clicking on links in spam emails were more likely to stumble across these, said Mr Robbins.Most reports were of commercial websites, as people looking for pornography or clicking on links in spam emails were more likely to stumble across these, said Mr Robbins.
He urged anybody that came across potentially illegal content to report it immediately and offered reassurance that users could report any content anonymously.He urged anybody that came across potentially illegal content to report it immediately and offered reassurance that users could report any content anonymously.
"We exist to try to access the content and get it removed," he said."We exist to try to access the content and get it removed," he said.
The IWF is funded by the EU and UK internet industry, including ISPs, mobile operators, internet search providers and telecommunications and software companies.The IWF is funded by the EU and UK internet industry, including ISPs, mobile operators, internet search providers and telecommunications and software companies.